CALGARY — Six-year-old Adam Liu patiently practises his Chinese characters every day — after all, there are thousands to learn. And he’s already speaking Mandarin better than his father.
It’s a family reality that’s expected to become even more entrenched when Adam’s little sister, Laura, starts kindergarten next year in the same Mandarin-bilingual program at Highwood Elementary.
“We’re so happy with this program, it’s just wonderful. And I think it’s really beneficial for the kids,” says mother Linda Liu.
The Canadian-born mom and her Taiwanese-born husband chose Mandarin for their kids in hopes of giving them a more rounded education in culture and language.
But the edge they’ll have in the global economy will also give them a wide range of options once they choose a career, Liu says.
“It’s a very competitive time right now — and Mandarin is a major language for them to have in terms of their futures.”
Mandarin Immersion Parents Council 
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